BJP MLA Muniratna arrested over casteist slurs, death threats
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Muniratna Naidu, who was arrested by the Bengaluru Police on Saturday for alleged harassment, threats, and casteist abuse, has been sent to two days of police custody. He was arrested near the Nangali check-post in Kolar while trying to escape to Andhra Pradesh with his associates. The arrest followed two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Naidu by the Vyalikaval Police on Friday.
FIRs and audio evidence lead to Naidu's arrest
The complaints involved incidents between 2019 and 2024. The first FIR was filed by Cheluvaraju, a contractor, who accused Naidu of demanding a ₹30 lakh bribe and cheating him out of ₹20 lakh under the guise of procuring 10 autorickshaws for garbage disposal. Cheluvaraju also alleged that he received death threats from Naidu's associates when he refused to pay. The second FIR was lodged by Velunayakar M, a former corporator, who accused Naidu of threatening him and hurling casteist abuses.
Naidu refutes allegations, claims political conspiracy
An audio clip of Naidu allegedly making casteist slurs against Vokkaligas and Dalits while giving threats to the contractor also went viral recently. Naidu has refuted the allegations, claiming that the audio was doctored. He stated, "Technology allows copying of voices of any person. Haven't you heard about the case in which four men were arrested for faking Union home minister Amit Shah's voice?" He also challenged investigators to prove that he had communicated with the complainant, Cheluvaraju.
The MLA was arrested while trying to flee
Political reactions and demands for further action
Naidu dismissed these cases as politically motivated and accused former Bengaluru rural MP DK Suresh of orchestrating them. On Saturday, Cheluvaraju met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and stated that despite the police filing two FIRs, no action was taken against the BJP MLA. Siddaramaiah had then assured him of legal action and protection.
